Combination beach bag and inflatable mattress

ABSTRACT

A convertible device which may be formed into either a carrying bag or mattress comprises a plurality of panels extending from each side of a relatively narrow center panel, the panels being inflatable and hinged together. Side flaps having closure devices extend from the opposite ends of the center panel and at least one of the adjacent panels for joining the ends of the panels adjacent the center panel when forming a carrying bag. The center panel and side flaps provide increased width for the bag permitting increased capacity.

United States Patent 1191.

Muller-Scherak June 25, 1974 COMBINATION BEACH BAG AND 2,819,776 l/l958 Balsam 190/42 3,052,895 9/1962 1.0 Vico s/344 Filed:

INFLATABLE MATTRESS Wolf Georg Muller-Scherak,- Vincenz-Statz, Str. 8, Cologne, Germany May 16, 1972 Appl. N0.: 253,740

Inventor:

Foreign Application Priority Data Aug, 9, 1971 Germany 7130478 1111.01. Ac9/00 Field of Search, 190/2, 1, 42; 5/343, 344; 1, 1.7; 297/110. 3

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1951 Cart 5/344 X 12/1952 Damsch 5/344 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Primary Examiner-D0nald F. Norton Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Markva & Smith 57 ABSTRACT A convertible device which may be formed into either a carrying bag or mattress comprises a plurality of 'rying bag. The center panel and side flaps provide increased width for the bag permitting increased capac- 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 6/1957 Great Britain /2 I COMBINATION BEACH BAG AND INFLATABLE MATTRESS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In prior art bags it is well known to form the sides from paddings usually of foam or sponge rubber plates. A flexible material covers a plurality of the plates arranged end to end linking them together. Fold lines are provided in the flexible material between adjacent transverse edges of the plates to permit the various sections to be folded one over the other and connected along their lateral edges to form a receptacle or bag. In this fashion the top of the bag is left open. By disconnecting the lateral edges the assembly may be extended to form a mattress or cushion upon which a person may lie or sit. In a bag such as this, the adjacent sections are normally held in contiguous relationship at the hinge points and at the side attaching points. Consequently, the filling capacity of a bag of this nature is limited and restricted primarily to flat objects. The disadvantage of a bag such as this is that the connecting devices for the lateral edges of the assembly are held in tight contiguous relationship, thus limiting the width of the bag resulting in a constant tension placed on the connecting means when the bag is in use. This is especially true due to the elasticity of the padding material and the expansion of the bag upon insertion of an object. Because of these characteristics, most priorart bags are damaged in a relatively short time and become unusable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A salient object of the present invention is to create a convertible carrying bag which has a'capacity for many or large objects and which yet is easily opened into an elongated padded mattress-type article.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bag which is both economical to produce yet durable and capable of withstanding continuous use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a convertible carrying bag which is fabricated from inflatable panels which can be deflated when in the carrying mode so as to reduce the bulk of the overall panel sections.

Briefly, the bag of this invention is provided with a plurality of generally rectangular panels which are folded with respect to each other and form the sides of the carrying bag. A center or intermediate panel is provided between the panels forming the sides of the bag, and end closure flaps attached along the edges of the panels are provided to enclose the end portions of the bag. Closure devices are provided to detachably secure the flaps. These closure devices can be of any type desired such as zippers, hook and eyes, tie strips or the like. The material from which the panels are formed can be of any type which is flexible yet able to resist dampness, salt water, sand, solar radiation and other similar environments and still suitable to retain air in the inflated condition.

The end flaps of the bag can be designed to be inflatable, if desired.

The embodiments of this invention entail various arrangements of the end flaps and fastening or closure devices which are used to interconnect the lateral or outer edges of the panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS These and other objects of this invention will become apparent in the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts of the several views:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bag according to the present invention which has been converted into an air mattress having four primary panels;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of another embodiment of the bag of this invention which is convertible into an air mattress having two large side flaps;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of still another embodiment of the bag of this invention which shows the air mattress with offset side flaps; and

FIG. MS a prospective view of a bag of this invention formed from the air mattress shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS The bag of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4 is formed from an assembly arranged as an air mattress shown generally at 1 in FIG. I. The air mattress 1 comprises individual panels or sections 2, 2a, 2b and 2c and an additional center panel 3, all of which are inflatable. The two panels 2, 2a are joined together along a transverse fold or seam and the panels 2b, 2c are also joined together in the same manner. These joined portions are interconnected by the center section or panel 3. In the present embodiment, each of these panels constitutes an inflatable pad. The interconnecting transverse seams are provided between the individual panels to join the panels so as to form swinging hinges to permit the folding-over of the various parts with respect to each other.

An air-inflating valve V is provided in each panel. Alternat ively, ducts can be provided through each of the panel fold or hinge seams to permit the inflation of all of the panels from a single air valve.

Flaps 6, 6a and 7, 7a, which like the panels may also be inflatable if desired, are provided along the lateral edges of the side and center panels 2, 2c and 3. Closing or fastening devices such as zippers 5, 5' are provided to easily and quickly secure the panels and flaps in order to close the ends of the bag shown generally at 10 in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 1, the elements 5a, 5b of zipper 5 are fastened to the edges of flaps 6 and 7 respectively.

, These flaps extend along the outer edges of the panels 2, 2c and 3'. Along the opposite edges of the panels 2, 2c and3 is connected a second pair of end flaps 6a and 7a. The closing elements 5a and 5b of the zipper 5' are connected along the outer edges of these flaps 6a, 7a. The portions of the flaps approaching the midportion of the center panel 3 arecurved inwardly at 8, 8a to intersect at the midpoint of each of the edges of the center panel 3. This arrangement is provided to allow complete closure of the opposite ends of the bag 10 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The bottom corners of the bag are rounded due to the curved configuration of the end flaps 6, 6a, 7 and 7a adjacent the midpoint of the center panel 3. Carrying handles 9 are provided on the outer surfaces of the side panels 2, 20.

When converting the air mattress 1 into a convenient carrying bag 10, the outer panels or sections 2a, 2b are first pivoted inwardly over the inner panels 2, 2c. The

zippers 5 and 5 are then closed, bringing the edges of the flaps 6, 7 and 6a, 7a into contiguous planar position. In this fashion, a carrying bag having a capacity for various large objects can be easily and quickly providcd.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, panels 12, 12a, 12b, 12c and 13 are substantially the same as panels 2, 2a, 2b, 2c and 3 respectively in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The two side flaps 16 and 16a are both attached to the respective lateral outer edges of panel 12. The height of each of the end flaps 16 and 16a is equal to the width of the center panel 13. When the mattress is folded to form a bag, the end flaps 16 and 160 form the ends of the bag and provide the width spacing along with the center section 13 between panels 12 and 120. Closure devices such as zippers l5 and 15' are respectively located along the outer edges of the panels and flaps 16, 13, 12c and 16a, 13, 12c. In contrast to the arrangement of FIG. 1, securing of the closing devices 15, 15' forms generally square corners along the bottom and side edges of the resulting bag.

A third embodiment is shown in FIG. 3 wherein panels 22, 22a, 22b, 22c and 23 are substantially the same as panels 2, 2a, 2b, 2c and 3 respectively in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Theend flaps 26, 27 are arranged in offset fashion along the lateral or outer edges of the side panels 22, 22c respectively. Closing devices 25, 25 are respectively connected to the outer edges of the individual flaps 26, 27 for securing the assembly as a bag.

Referring to the various embodiments generally,

when converting the air mattress arrangement to the bag configuration, it is intended that the individual panels will be deflated before closing the zippers or other closure devices. It is to be understood, however, that if desired the bag may be formed with the panels inflated due to the sufficiently. broad dimensions and capacity of the flaps and center panel. With this arrangement, the bag provides insulating characteristics in which warm or cold objects may be carried and maintained for extended periods While various modifications of a convertible bag have been shown and described in detail, it is obvious that this invention is not to be considered as being limited to the exact form disclosed and that changes in detail and the construction may be made therein within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. An assembly for alternatively forming a bag or an elongated pad comprising:

a. a pneumatically inflatable intermediate panel,

b. pneumatically inflatable side panels hingedly secured to opposite transverse edges of said intermediate panel,

0. at least two end flaps, one of said end flaps being attached along one side thereof to a lateral edge of at least one of said side panels and another of said end flaps being attached along one side thereof to the opposite lateral edge of at least one of said side panels,

d. valve means for inflating said intermediate panel and separate further valve means for inflating said side panels, and

e. releasable securing means along the opposite lateral edges of said assembly for securing each of the 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein saidsecuring means includes a zipper device having working elements positioned along the opposite lateral edges of said assembly.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 comprising four end flaps which extend along each entire lateral edge of the intermediate panel and two adjacent side panels.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein each end flap is'curved so as to join at the midpoint of the intermediate panel lateral edge, and said securing means comprises a zipper device having working elements connected along the outer edge of said end flaps whereby when the zipper elements are connected together two end flaps will be joined to form the ends of said bag.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said end flaps are adapted to be inflated.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said end flaps are connected along opposite lateral edges of one of said side panels which is positioned adjacent to said intermediate panel.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said securing means is arranged along the outer edge of each of said end flaps, said intermediate panel and the opposite side panel.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said end flaps are connected in offset fashion, one to the lateral edge of aside panel connected to one transverse edge of said intermediate panel'and the other to the lateral edge of the side panel connected to the other transverse edge of said intermediate panel.

9. An assembly for alternatively forming a bag or elongated pad comprising:

a. a pneumatically inflatable intermediate panel having a pair of opposite substantially parallel sides and at least one pneumatically inflatable side panel hingedly secured to each of said sides of said intermediate panel, said intermediate and side panels forming said assembly with a pair of opposite lateral sides transverse to the parallel sides of said intermediate panel,

b. valve means for inflating said intermediate panel and separate valve means for inflating each of said side panels, and

c. releasable securing means for securing each of said opposite lateral edges when said side panels are folded into substantially parallel spaced relationship to form said bag,

d. said intermediate panel being separately inflatable from said side panels with no pneumatic communication between said intermediate panel and said side panels whereby when said assembly is formed as a bag, the weight of an article in said bag will not cause transfer of air contained in said intermediate panel to said side panels distorting the shape of said bag.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 comprising a further separately pneumatically inflatable side panel hingedly secured to the side of each of said first recited side panels opposite said intermediate panel, whereby said further side panels may be deflated when said assembly is formed as a bag. 

1. An assembly for alternatively forming a bag or an elongated pad comprising: a. a pneumatically inflatable intermediate panel, b. pneumatically inflatable side panels hingedly secured to opposite transverse edges of said intermediate panel, c. at least two end flaps, one of said end flaps being attached along one side thereof to a lateral edge of at least one of said side panels and another of said end flaps being attached along one side thereof to the opposite lateral edge of at least one of said side panels, d. valve means for inflating said intermediate panel and separate further valve means for inflating said side panels, and e. releasable securing means along the opposite lateral edges of said assembly for securing each of the lateral edges together when said side panels are folded into parallel relationship to form said bag, f. said intermediate panel being separately inflatable from said side panels with no pneumatic communication between said intermediate panel and said side panels whereby when said assembly is formed as a bag, the weight of an article in said bag will not cause transfer of air contained in said intermediate panel to said side panels distorting the shape of said bag.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said securing means includes a zipper device having working elements positioned along the opposite lateral edges of said assembly.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 comprising four end flaps which extend along each entire lateral edge of the intermediate panel and two adjacent side panels.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein each end flap is curved so as to joiN at the midpoint of the intermediate panel lateral edge, and said securing means comprises a zipper device having working elements connected along the outer edge of said end flaps whereby when the zipper elements are connected together two end flaps will be joined to form the ends of said bag.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said end flaps are adapted to be inflated.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said end flaps are connected along opposite lateral edges of one of said side panels which is positioned adjacent to said intermediate panel.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said securing means is arranged along the outer edge of each of said end flaps, said intermediate panel and the opposite side panel.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said end flaps are connected in offset fashion, one to the lateral edge of a side panel connected to one transverse edge of said intermediate panel and the other to the lateral edge of the side panel connected to the other transverse edge of said intermediate panel.
 9. An assembly for alternatively forming a bag or elongated pad comprising: a. a pneumatically inflatable intermediate panel having a pair of opposite substantially parallel sides and at least one pneumatically inflatable side panel hingedly secured to each of said sides of said intermediate panel, said intermediate and side panels forming said assembly with a pair of opposite lateral sides transverse to the parallel sides of said intermediate panel, b. valve means for inflating said intermediate panel and separate valve means for inflating each of said side panels, and c. releasable securing means for securing each of said opposite lateral edges when said side panels are folded into substantially parallel spaced relationship to form said bag, d. said intermediate panel being separately inflatable from said side panels with no pneumatic communication between said intermediate panel and said side panels whereby when said assembly is formed as a bag, the weight of an article in said bag will not cause transfer of air contained in said intermediate panel to said side panels distorting the shape of said bag.
 10. The invention as defined in claim 9 comprising a further separately pneumatically inflatable side panel hingedly secured to the side of each of said first recited side panels opposite said intermediate panel, whereby said further side panels may be deflated when said assembly is formed as a bag. 